Enterprise Start Up: Where is the Aladdin Lamp?

Keep digging until you find the golden egg. It will happen. Remember the variable time windshield wiper control in the movies? Look at what you know well. Services or products you would like but can't find, multi-step activities that can be simplified, work environment changes that make folks more productive, ugly objects that can be attractive, or complex equipment that can be doofus-proofed. There are countless things to look into. Start at what grabs your attention.

L ist your unique attributes and competitive advantage. What about your products and services? What distinguish them from the others offered in the market? Why would anyone buy from you rather than the competition?

H ow will you make the market aware of your product or service and of its unique value? If you are not a P and G or Toyota or Gap, what are your options? Do you advertise in a newspaper? Use a web site? Telemarket? Can you get attention in Facebook or Twitter? Will employees hand out brochures or, at least, take them home? Can you speak to the local service clubs such as Lions, Zonta or Rotary? Is there a local TV show for new ideas or a magazine that targets your potential buyers?

H ow much must you charge to achieve an excess of revenue over expense? How much time, money and energy can someone save using your idea? How much fun can they have? How can their life be better? How can this enhance their self-image? What is a possible price that makes sense?

H ow will you deliver the product or service? Direct sales, sub-contracts, wholesalers, distributors, Internet and delivery services? How do you make this as simple as possible so you can concentrate on your core business or service?

H ow will you make your customer happy with all aspects of your product or service? Who will meet the new customers? Who will be on hand, in the showroom or web site or telephone link? How will you greet the first paying customers and each one after that? Who will be getting feedback from them? How will you go about getting feedback? Do you need to design design a questionnaire or an online poll? How would you find out what they like in your product or service and what they would like to change? How can you improve their experience of your product or service?

H ow many do you need? How can you recruit the best in the industry? How can oyu make them happy and committed? Will they help you market the service among their acquaintances? Will these people be partners with you? Would they be competing with you?

H ow will you manage money? Will you take credit card payments? Will you extend credit? What would the terms be?How do you get into Pay-Pal? What is a secure system for receiving cash? How will you collect your bills? Can you be paid in advance?